JLC3DP Blog

Plastics

Is PETG Toxic to Print? Fumes, Risks & Safety Guide

Key Takeaways PETG is generally considered a lower-emission 3D printing material compared to ABS and ASA, but it does produce VOCs and ultrafine particles during printing. The odor during PETG printing is typically mild, some people barely notice it, others describe a faint warm-plastic smell. Low odor doesn't mean zero emissions. Ventilation is still a sensible precaution. PETG food safety is complicated, the material itself may be food-grade in some formulations, but the printing process introduces ......

Sep 10, 2026

Safety & Maintenance

10 Things You Should Never 3D Print

(source: Freepik) 3D printing opens the door to creativity, customization, and convenience, but not everything should be on the print bed. While the tech keeps getting better, safer, and more accessible, there are still clear boundaries, legal, ethical, and material-based- that shouldn’t be crossed. The short answer to "what can't you 3D print?" is: anything illegal, anything safety-critical that you can't certify, and anything that the material simply can't handle. That covers “3D-printed firearms, c......

Sep 10, 2026

Plastics

Top 5 Heat-Resistant 3D Printing Filaments Compared

When Regular Filament Just Doesn’t Cut It You’ve 3D printed a functional bracket for a car engine bay. It fits perfectly, looks great, and then warps into a banana-shape after a week under the hood. That’s the danger of underestimating heat. If you're building automotive components, enclosures near motors, molds, or even kitchenware, using the wrong filament can lead to deformation, brittleness, or outright failure when exposed to heat. So, you already know the solution: Choosing the right heat-resist......

Sep 10, 2026

Safety & Maintenance

Does 3D Printing Smell? Causes, Risks & How to Reduce It

Key Takeaways 3D printing can produce odors, VOCs, and ultrafine particles, but smell alone does not indicate exposure or toxicity. 3D printer fumes vary by material and printing conditions. PLA and PETG generally have lower emissions, while ABS and resin require greater emission control. Ventilation and source control are the most effective measures for reducing exposure to 3D printing emissions. Enclosures, HEPA filters, and activated carbon can provide additional control for particles, VOCs, and od......

Sep 08, 2026

Material Jetting

What is Binder Jetting? Process, Benefits, and Applications

Binder jetting (BJ) is a versatile additive manufacturing technology that is used to print polymer, metal, ceramic and sand parts. The Binder jetting 3d printing technology uses powdered materials upon which the print head selectively deposits a liquid binding agent (binder) to fuse adjacent powdered particles together to form a bond. It can be understood better by considering it a mix of powder bed fusion and material jetting technologies in a way that it uses powdered material and also uses a binder......

Sep 08, 2026

Resins

Best Resin Printer for Miniatures in 2026

Choosing the best resin printer for miniatures in 2026 comes down to one thing: detail per dollar. After a hands-on review of this year's leading SLA and 4K/8K LCD resin printers, we ranked the top picks for D&D, Warhammer, and tabletop terrain — from a $149 beginner machine to an 8K showcase rig. This guide covers resolution (4K vs 8K), build volume, resin choices, and a buyer's checklist, so you can print crisp minis without overspending or drowning in failed prints. Why Resin 3D Printers Are Best f......

Sep 05, 2026